Anti-pickpocket device



- Jan. 10, 1967 c. H. JEFFERS ANTI-PICKPOCKET DEVICE Filed Feb. 17, 1965 INVENTOR.

Ca/FLH Jgffers ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 3,297,070 Patented Jan. 10, 1967 3,297,670 ANTI-PICKPOCKET DEVICE Carl H. letters, 1021 W. Main t.,

Louisville, Ohio 44641 Filed Feb. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 433,314 7 Qlaims. (Cl. 1511-47) This invention relates to a device for preventing clandestine removal of a wallet from a persons pocket.

From time to time various devices have been proposed for minimizing or preventing the snatching of pocketbooks or wallets from the custody of a person. Those devices have been unsatisfactory for various reasons. One objection to many of the prior devices has been inconvenience of size. If the device is too large, it is too cumbersome to use. Thus, it is desirable to provide a device which is relatively small in size but is sufliciently large to operate in a fool-proof manner.

An undesirable aspect of most prior devices for preventing removal or pickpocketing of a wallet has been the lack of detachable means for easily attaching and removing the device from the pocketbook or wallet. Most prior devices have been designed either for cumbersome attachment or permanent attachment and have, therefore, been discarded and left unused.

Most prior devices have also been undesirable because of the particular combination of operating parts. One aspect of that has been the difficuity of manipulating an operating lever when the wallet with the device attached is located in a persons pocket. Another aspect has been that the operating parts have been exposed and become entangled in ones clothing such as a pocket lining.

Another disadvantage of most prior anti-pickpocket devices has been their inoperativeness when removing a wallet downwardly through the lower end of a persons pocket such as when the clothing is cut by a pickpocket for extracting a wallet.

It has been found that the foregoing disadvantages may be overcome by providing an anti-pickpocket device having a relatively small size which is readily detachably mounted by the user for securing a wallet in a pocket, and which is provided with additional means for preventing undetected removal except by manipulation of a release trigger.

The nature of the improved anti-pickpocket device of the present invention may be stated in general terms as including a base plate having a side surface, upper and lower ends, and opposite edges, the plate having a width substantially comparable to that of a wallet, arms pivotal- 1y attached to one side of the plate and being movable between positions retracted within the edges of the plate and positions extending outwardly therefrom, spring means for holding the arms in the outwardly extending position, means for holding the arms in the retracted positions, and means for detachably securing the plate on a wallet.

Generally, it is an object of this invention to provide an anti-pickpocket device which prevents clandestine removal of a wallet from a persons custody.

It is another object of this invention to provide an antipickpocket device which is detachably secured to a wallet.

It is another object of this invention to provide an anti-pickpocket device which encloses all mechanical operating parts and prevents their becoming entangled in a pocket lining.

It is another object of this invention to provide an anti-pickpocket device which not only prevents the removal of a wallet by lifting it out of a pocket, but also by lowering a wallet through a pocket that has been cut open for this purpose.

It is another object of this invention to provide an antipickpocket device having extendible arms, the under edges of which are notched to catch and hold on to the cloth lining of a pocket.

Finally, it is an object of this invention to provide an anti-pickpocket device which incorporates the foregoing desiderata and achieves the stated objects in a simplified and inexpensive manner.

The above objects together with others which will be apparent from the drawing and following description, or which may be later referred to, may be attained by constructing the improved antipickpocket device in the manner hereinafter described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which;

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the device with the arms in the retracted position;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the device mounted in a wallet, part of which is shown in cross section;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device with the upper side surface partially broken away and with the arms in the extended position; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of FIG. 1.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

In the drawing an anti-pickpocketing device is generally indicated at 1. It includes a body portion 2 and means 3 including a U-shaped member 4 for attaching the device to a wallet. The body portion 2 is preferably a rectangular member having opposite side plates 5 and 6 which form opposite edges 7 and 8 as well as opposite ends 9 and 10. The sides 5 and 6 are preferably composed of a single sheet of metal or plastic which is U-bent at 9 (FIG. 2) to provide the side plates for containing the operative parts of the device.

The U-shaped member 4 is secured preferably by rivets 11 to the body portion 2. The member 4 is notched at 12 and a hinge pin 13 extends through the notch. As

shown, an insert member 14 is preferably composed of leather and is secured by rivets 15 to a leather flap 14a which extends through the notch and around the hinge pin 13. The leather flap 14a extends for equal distances on opposite sides of the member 14 so that each half portion is insertable into the open ends of pockets 16 and 17 near the fold of a wallet 18 (FIG. 2) when the device 1 is in place for use as shown.

In FIG. 3 the device 1 includes a pair of locking members or arms 19 and 20 which extend outwardly of laterally from the sides 7 and 8 respectively. Each arm is pivotally secured by similar pins 21 within the space between the side plates 5 and 6. The arms are also retractable to the broken line positions between and within the side plates. A coil spring 22 is attached to and extends between the ends of the arms 19 and 20 to hold the arms in the extended position as shown. Each arm is provided with a stop member 23 on the underside thereof for engagement with the ends of the side plates 5 and 6 as well as the end 9 when the arms 19 and 20 are in the extended position.

The device 1 is also provided with means for retracting and holding the arms 19 and 20 in retracted (broken line) positions, as shown in FIG. 3. The means includes a trigger lever 24 having one end pivoted at 25 between the side plates 5 and 6 and having a fingerengaging portion 26 for manipulating the lever between the solid and broken line positions, as shown in FIG. 3. The means also includes a pair of cords or cables 27 and 28 which extend between the arms 19 and. 20, respectively, and the lever 24. Each arm 19 and 21) includes an outturned member 29 which is apertured to receive a knotted end portion of one corresponding cord 27 and 28. Likewise, the lever 24 is provided with an outturned portion 30 which is apertured to receive the opposite ends of the cords 27 and 23.

The means for holding the arms 19 and 20 in place also includes a pair of pulleys 31 and 32 mounted on separate similar pivot pins 33 which extend between the side plates 5 and 6. Accordingly, when the arms 19 and 20 are retracted within and between the side plates 5 and 6, the arm 24 is raised (broken line position). It is retained there by a short pin 34 on the side of the lever and is seated in an aperture 35 of the side plate 5 near the end (FIG. 4).

To aid in the retention of the pin 34 in the aperture 35 the side plate 6 is provided with a downturned portion 36 (FIGS. 3 and 4) which portion contacts the top side of the lever 24 when it is in the broken line position of FIG. 3. Thus, the arms 19 and are retained in retraction against the pressure exerted by the spring 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, spacer members 37, 38, and 39 are provided between the plates '5 and 6 where they are retained by spaced rivets 12, 40, and 41 for holding the device together.

The anti-pickpocket device 1 is used by inserting it within the wallet 18 substantially as shown in FIG. 2. The wallet 18 is first opened and placed on a fiat surface so that the half portions of the leather flap 14 may be in serted into the card-receivin-g pockets 16 and 17 on opposite sides of the wallet fold.

The wallet 18 is then closed in the usual manner with the device extending upwardly between the half portions and with the lever 24 disposed in the upper (broken line) position so that the arms 19 and 20 are retracted. The wallet 18 is placed into a pocket such as the hip pocket of a mans trousers 'with the fold lowermost and resting upon the lower end of the pocket. The lever 24 is then lowered by manipulating the pin 34 from the aperture 35. In response to the action of the spring 22 the arms 14 move out to extended positions, the angles of which are dependent upon the width of the pocket, and engage the lining fabric forming the pocket.

In the extended position the arms 19 and 20 prevent removal of the wallet 18 from the pocket. The arms must first be moved to the retracted positions by raising the lever 24, which is practically impossible to do without attracting attention.

In the event that an attempt is made to remove the wallet by slitting the trousers and pocket fabric at the lower end of the wallet, the arms 19 and 24 are provided with a plurality of spaced notches 42 having notch end surfaces 43 which are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each arm. By extending at right angles to the axis of each arm the notches catch on to the fabric material forming the pocket, and prevent removal of a wallet by lowering it out of a pocket.

The device of the present invention provides a foolproof means for minimizing, if not completely preventing, the removal of :a wallet from an owners pocket either by lifting it upward or downward through a cut-open pocket. The device includes a minimum number of operating parts which are completely concealed between support plates and creates a relatively thin and unbulky object for use with a wallet. Another advantage of the device is that it is detachable.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention or discovery, the construction, the operation, and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful rc- 4t sults obtained thereby; the new and useful construction, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An anti-pickpocket device for preventing clandestine removal of a wallet from a persons pocket including a base plate having a side surface, upper and lower ends, and opposite edges, the plate having a width substantially comparable to that of a wallet, arms pivotally attached to one side surface of the plate and being movable between positions retracted within the edges of the plate and positions extending outwardly therefrom, each arm having spaced notches along one edge, spring means for holding the arms in the outwardly extending positions, means for holding the arms in the retracted position, and means for detachably securing the plate on a wallet.

2. An anti-pickpocket device for use with a pocket wallet which is foldable along a laterally extending fold and which has card-receiving pockets on opposite sides of the fold, the device including a base member having a side surface, upper and lower ends, and opposite edges, arms pivotally mounted on the side surface of the member and being movable between positions retracted within the opposite edges of the plate and positions extending outwardly therefrom, spring means for holding the arms in one of said positions, means for moving and holding the arms in the other of said positions, and flap means detachably insertable into at least one of the pockets of a wallet.

3. An anti-pickpocket device for use with a pocket wallet which is foldable along a laterally extending fold and which has card-receiving pockets on opposite sides of the fold, the device including a base member having a side surface, upper and lower ends, and opposite edges, arms pivotally mounted on the side surface of the member and being movable between positions retracted within the opposite edges of the plate and positions extending outwardly therefrom, spring means for holding the arms in one of said positions, means for moving and holding the arms in the other of said positions including an actuation lever pivotally mounted on the upper end of the plate and flap means at the lower end of the plate, and

flap means detachably insertable into the pockets of a wallet.

4. An anti-pickpocket device for use with a pocket wallet which is foldable along a laterally extending fold and has card-receiving pockets on opposite sides of the fold, the device including a base member having a side surface, upper and lower ends, and opposite edges, arms pivotally mounted on the side surface of the member and being movable between a position retracted within the edges of the plate and positions extending outwardly therefrom, spring means for holding the arms in the outwardly extending positions, lever means for moving the arms to the retracted position and including cords extending from the arms to the lever, and flap means detachably insertable into the pockets of a wallet.

5. The device of claim 3 in which the plate and the lever are provided with interengaging members for holding the lever in the position corresponding to the retracted position of the arms and against the force of the spring means.

6. The device of claim 3 in which each arm is provided with longitudinally spaced notches.

7. An anti-pickpocket device for use with a pocket wallet which is foldable along a laterally extending fold and has card-receiving pockets on opposite sides of the fold, the device including a sheet-like plate bent laterally into substantially half portions and forming a space between said portions, the bent plate having opposite edges and upper and lower ends, arms pivotally mounted between the plate half portions within the space, one arm being adjacent each opposite edge and movable between a position retracted within the edge and a position ex- 8,297,970 5 6 tending outwardly therefrom, spring means for holding References Cited by the Examiner the arms in the extended positions, means for pulling and holding the arms in the retracted position between UNITED STATES PATENTS the plate portions and including an actuation lever at 1,121,465 12/1914 Brown 150-47 the end opposite the bent end of the plate, said means 5 also including cord-guide pulleys and cords extending FOREIGN PATENTS from the arms to the lever, the lever having cooperating 257 527 3/1928 Italy means with the plate for holding the arms in the retracted positions against the force of the spring means, and flap means insertable into the pockets of a wallet for holding 10 FRANKLIN GARRETT Pnmmy Examl'ierthe device in position within a folded wallet. 

1. AN ANTI-PICKPOCKET DEVICE FOR PREVENTING CLANDESTINE REMOVAL OF A WALLET FROM A PERSON''S POCKET INCLUDING A BASE PLATE HAVING A SIDE SURFACE, UPPER AND LOWER ENDS, AND OPPOSITE EDGES, THE PLATE HAVING A WIDTH SUBSTANTIALLY COMPARABLE TO THAT OF A WALLET, ARMS PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO ONE SIDE SURFACE OF THE PLATE AND BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN POSITIONS RETRACTED WITHIN THE EDGES OF THE PLATE 